1990 Labour MP and ‘Corrie’ actress Lynne Perrie open a new £1.5m grandstand extension at Belle Vue. The huge crowd set a tote record for a Tuesday night of £48,772.
1973 Following a string of positive tests, the NGRC issue “advice” to trainers not to use medicaments and tonics within seven days of a race or trial.
1994 Sunderland trainer David Mullins announces that he is to join Catford in October. His colleagues will be Alf Ellis, John Horsfall, Tom Gates, Ray Peacock, Tony Taylor, Arthur Boyce and Paddy Milligan.
1964 America’s two top stars, Max Star (Flagler International Classic) and Rushton (Wonderland Derby) are engaged in a series of three match races. Each side pick a venue and distance and the third race, if needed, is decided on the toss of a coin. With the score at 1-1, a record breaking Wonderland crowd (spectators and tote handle) saw Max Star secure the win.
1982 Long Spell beat Go Winston in a match-race at Brough Park. The Joe Booth trained brindle went below the track record when clocking 30.04 for 500 metres.
1959 In a bid to attract top dogs, Romford gradually build a jackpot with the prize going to the first runner to break a track record. It finally goes to the Pam Heasman trained Low Pressure who sets a new clock of 25.83 for the 460 yards. In addition to the £40 win prize money, the dog’s owner collects a £350 bonus (roughly £7,800 adjusting for inflation).
1951 London tracks are bumping up open race prize money in a battle to attract the best dogs. Following an increase in St Leger prize money and a poor response to trialstakes, Stow racing manager Harry Briggs announces a £300 increase in the Grand Prix which will now be worth £750 (approx £19,000 at today’s rates) to the winner with a trophy of a solid silver tea service. However Briggs is so disappointed with the overall entries that he threatens to abandon open racing all together. In the meantime the track has installed a new outside McKee-Scott hare to replace the inside Sumner.
1989 Hove announce prize money increases. H1 winners will receive £100, top heat flat dogs will get £94 – that’s equivalent to £255 and £240 at 2018 rates.
2013 AFC Wimbledon submit a planning application to build an 11,000 capacity stadium (potential for 20,000) plus 600 homes.
1964 Pat Dalton, narrowly beaten in the previous two Irish-American Classics, believes he has his best ever team. They are Gleaming There, Airline, Venture Mac, Westpark Weaver, Charter Flight and Stoneville Prince.
2002 Irish sire Thorgil Tex, whose best litter featured Irish Derby winner Judicial Pride and Blue Tex, dies from cancer aged 10.
1994 Trainer John Haynes is the latest trainer to join Wembley, the track where he had been a kennel boy 30 years earlier. His place at Hackney is taken by John Quinn, owner of I’m Slippy and Murlens Slippy.
1952 Walthamstow receive only eight entries for their Grand Prix despite prizes (prize money and trophy) being worth £1,400 (nearly £42K at today’s rates).
2012 Four days after winning the Irish Derby, Skywalker Puma covers Skywalker Queen. The resultant litter will include the brilliant Skywalker Aurora. The race is also the last outing of 2011 Derby winner Razldazl George who finished third and lame on a wrist.
1990 The oldest resident at the track kennels at Bury St Edmunds, Wonderboy, dies aged 17. At 12 months old, Wonderboy had initially refused to chase the lure and racing manager Michael Steed was told to put him to sleep. Steed said: “The dog was a complete idiot so I decided not to give up and just as I hand-slipped him the next time, I gave him a gentle clip around the ear. Before he realised what was happening, he was chasing”. Wonderboy went on to a successful open race career and was the sprint track record holder at Bury.
1959 Its 1-0 to the dog. Future open race star Clonalvy Romance runs second in his White City debut. His owner, the European 1,500 metre champion Brian Hewson had finished third in a race earlier the same day.
1964 Brighton racing manager Tom King resigns. His position is taken by Peter Shotton.
1990 Having clocked 28.61 (TR 28.82) in a qualifying trial for the Produce Stakes at Wembley, Phantom Flash (pictured) goes to traps at 1-14f for his first round heat. He wins by 10 lengths in a new clock of 28.79.
